Sint-Pieterskerk

Sint-Pieterskerk is a Roman Catholic parish church standing on the market square (Markt 42) in Berlaar, in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The present neo-Romanesque building dates from 1873-1876, yet the story of this sacred site reaches much further back, and the church tower itself ranks among the oldest surviving architectural elements in Berlaar.

Where does the church's history begin?

The earliest documented link to this site comes from 1227, when tithe rights passed to the Abbey of Rozendaal near Walem. Shortly afterward, around 1230, an early Gothic church was built here — and it is from this first building that the current tower survives, making it the oldest remaining part of the whole complex. The church is dedicated to Saint Peter the Apostle, which gives the building its name: Sint-Pieterskerk, literally "Saint Peter's Church."

How did the building change over the centuries?

The original church did not survive unaltered. Around 1353 a new structure replaced the earlier one, which was likely later destroyed by fire. The next building phase added a late Gothic choir, raised in the mid-17th century, followed by a nave and transept added during the 18th century. The church therefore grew in stages across several centuries, layering elements from different periods into a single structure.

The 19th century brought a decisive change: between 1873 and 1876 an entirely new neo-Romanesque church was built to a design by architect Leonard Blomme. This building, combined with the older surviving tower, gives Sint-Pieterskerk its present-day form.

What happened to the tower during the Second World War?

The tower experienced a dramatic episode at the very start of the Second World War. On 14 May 1940, the Belgian army deliberately shelled the tower to prevent it from being used by German forces as a landmark for orientation in the surrounding terrain. The damage was severe, but after careful examination of the surviving rubble and archival records, the tower was rebuilt between 1940 and 1943, restoring its historic appearance.

What can visitors see inside the church?

The interior preserves several furnishings of notable historical value. The pulpit dates from the first half of the 18th century, making it one of the older surviving fittings to have outlasted the church's later rebuilding phases. The organ is considerably younger: it was built in 1954-1955 by the firm Jos Stevens, well known for organ work in the region.

What is the church's heritage status today?

Sint-Pieterskerk has been listed as a protected monument since 1998 and was formally registered as architectural heritage in 2009. In recent years the building underwent a thorough restoration, and since 2022 it stands fully restored, preserving both the medieval tower and the 19th-century church structure for future generations.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Sint-Pieterskerk in Berlaar? Its oldest surviving element, the tower, dates from around 1230, while the current church building was constructed between 1873 and 1876.

Why was the tower shelled in 1940? The Belgian army shelled its own church tower to stop German forces from using it as a landmark during the invasion in May 1940.

Who designed the present church? The neo-Romanesque building from 1873-1876 was designed by architect Leonard Blomme.

Can the church be visited today? Since 2022 the building has been fully restored, and as an active parish church it remains open to visitors according to local rules for visiting places of worship.